"What's next…?" Shidou mused.
"About that, Shidou-san…" Kurumi responded, catching his murmur as they left the restaurant.
After a whirlwind of arcade games—discovering Kurumi's surprising skill at shooters—time flew by. Checking the time, both were shocked at how late it was. Now, after a late lunch, they were deciding their next stop.
"Got somewhere in mind?" Shidou asked.
"Yes. I feel bad for always choosing, but… I'd like you to pick out clothes for me," Kurumi said.
"Me? I don't mind, but…" Shidou hesitated.
He'd expected to carry bags while she shopped, not to choose her clothes. Confident in picking something for Kurumi's stunning beauty? Hardly. But the thought of her wearing his choice thrilled him.
"I'm not great at picking cute girl clothes, but if you're okay with me, I'm happy to help," he said.
"I want you to choose, Shidou-san," she replied, her dazzling smile hitting his heart.
Blushing, he hid his face, muttering about Kotori mocking him, and hurried after Kurumi as she led the way.
"Kurumi," Shidou said.
"Yes?" she replied.
"You said you wanted me to pick clothes, right?"
"Yes. I brought you here to choose for me," she confirmed.
"Right, got it—wait, what?! This isn't clothes, it's lingerie!" Shidou yelped, face flaming in the lingerie shop.
Kurumi's serene smile contrasted with the curious stares around them. No man would willingly enter here, and Shidou couldn't help but shout.
"Fufu, don't fuss over details. It covers skin, same as clothes, no?" Kurumi teased.
"That's the only similarity!" he retorted.
"Oh, come now, it's fine," she brushed off, already browsing.
Shidou swallowed hard. She'd brought him here to choose lingerie. Teasing or serious? The thought of her wearing his pick—
"Your face is red, Shidou-san. Something wrong?" Kurumi asked, smirking.
"Uh… too much air conditioning?" he mumbled weakly.
Her grin was practically a leer. He praised himself for not nosebleeding like last night, narrowly avoiding awakening his "Sandalfon the Slaughterer" (or, as Kotori's phantom voice mocked, "Slaughter-lad (lol)").
Kurumi was in control. Or was she?
"Hey, Kurumi," he said.
"Yes?" she replied.
"You're blushing," he stated confidently.
Her smile didn't waver, but Shidou, with a mental "Kurumi folder," caught the faint flush on her cheeks. His words deepened it, her face turning scarlet.
"N-no such thing! Your mistake!" she protested.
"You're blushing. Definitely. Don't force it," he pressed.
"I'm not blushing or forcing anything! Stop accusing me!" she insisted, voice quickening.
"Your face is red, and you're talking fast. Don't push yourself," he said.
"I'm not—! Pick something already! Hurry!" she snapped, face crimson.
"You're redder than me!" he shot back.
"It's the air conditioning!" she echoed his excuse.
"That's my line! Stop forcing it!" he countered.
Their bickering looped, faces flushed. Kurumi thrust lingerie at him, he pushed back out of concern, their closeness drawing glares from female shoppers, united in thought: Die, lovebirds.
"Hey, Itsuka-kun, why're you here…?" a familiar voice interrupted.
Shidou sensed danger—killing intent. His classmates Ai, Mai, and Mii glared at him.
"With the transfer student, Tokisaki?" one asked.
"Ditching Tohka's aquarium date?" another accused.
"Skipping Tohka for her in a lingerie shop? Gross," the third sneered.
His brain kicked into overdrive. They knew about Tohka's date—probably from her consulting them. Her odd behavior that lunch, the tickets, her unprecedented invitation—it added up.
To them, he was a scumbag who ditched Tohka for Kurumi in a lingerie shop. Without knowing his "circumstances," he couldn't explain.
"Kurumi, can you run?" he whispered.
She blinked, then nodded, catching his intent. "Sounds… fun."
"Here we go!" he said, pulling her hand.
Not explanation—escape. It felt like an elopement, thrilling with Kurumi.
"Wait, you jerk!" Ai yelled.
"No escape!" Mai shouted.
"Stabbed or shot, your choice!" Mii screamed.
"Figured!" Shidou groaned.
Cool as it seemed, reality hit. Holding hands, they fled the shop, pursued by the trio's terrifying fury. Shidou nearly tripped in fear.
"I'll explain later—oh, they're not listening! They're fast!" he gasped.
"Indeed," Kurumi said, oddly cheerful.
Her joy was a silver lining, but Shidou couldn't get caught. Beyond fear of being torn apart, he didn't want their time interrupted. Reputation be damned—he wanted to cherish Kurumi's warmth, her presence.
"They're relentless!" he grumbled.
Shaking them was tough. Their adrenaline was unreal. Shidou's stamina waned, while Kurumi ran effortlessly, her Spirit nature a slight sting to his pride.
He needed a plan, gasping as his mind raced—
"Eek!" "Whoa!" "Gross!" came distinctive shrieks.
Shidou didn't stop but glanced back, Kurumi following suit. Both gasped.
"Yoshino!?" Shidou exclaimed.
"Yoshino-san!?" Kurumi echoed.
There was Yoshino, unmistakable, her puppet Yoshinon waving. Nearby, the trio had crashed into a giant plushie display.
Return? Shidou and Kurumi hesitated.
"Go, go!" Yoshinon's high voice urged, as Yoshino shook her head and gave a firm thumbs-up.
They nodded, Shidou returning the thumbs-up, Kurumi waving thanks, and they ran on.
"We lost them…" Shidou panted.
"Seems so. Good work," Kurumi said, unruffled.
"Thanks… sorry, my fault," he said, collapsing on a park bench.
Kurumi, unfazed by the sprint, shook her head. "No, I got to see Yoshino-san and Yoshinon looking well."
"About Yoshino—" he began.
"I know," Kurumi interrupted. "She couldn't stand by and jumped in. Kind of her."
Exactly. Likely unable to stay put while monitoring via , Yoshino acted on her own, not as 's aid. Shidou smiled, touched by her initiative.
"By the way, Shidou-san… you had plans with Tohka-san?" Kurumi asked.
"Guh!" His smile froze.
"You prioritized our date?" she pressed.
"…Guess so," he admitted reluctantly.
"I see…" she murmured.
He nodded, guilt gnawing. It wasn't about favoring one over the other, but it felt that way. No girl would feel good being "chosen" like this.
"Thirsty? I'll grab drinks. Rest here," he said, dodging.
"I'll wait," she replied.
Shidou dashed off. Kurumi, watching, exhaled softly, a smile creeping up.
"I…" she whispered, touching her face, realizing her smile.
Tohka was sidelined for me. It was wrong, ugly, yet her heart sang with guilty joy. She knew Tohka would've chosen her in a reversed scenario, for the Spirit's sake, not Shidou's promise. His selfless kindness—she knew it well, yet she almost misunderstood it.
"What a vile Spirit," she mocked herself.
Taking Shidou's time from kind Tohka, and worse… it was despicable. Yet, knowing her unworthiness, her heart overflowed. She was—
"So happy…" she admitted.
She'd hesitated to "devour" Shidou for her "vow." Now she understood why. Spending time with him, learning his facets, feeling his kindness, hearing her name—it was unbearably joyful, uncontrollable.
Today, she'd tried to steer the date but faltered, showing naive, embarrassing reactions. His presence stirred unknown emotions, unraveling her usual self. She shouldn't know these feelings—they'd ruin her. Terrifying.
Clutching the plushie he'd won, she tried to stifle her aching heart. She had to return to ignorance. His warmth, gifts, their meeting—all had to be "undone."
"Oh?" An annoying "noise" interrupted.
Rising, her dreamy expression vanished. The masked Nightmare, laden with despair, stepped forward. The dream was too much for her. Time to end it.
Time to show a nightmare.
"Huh?" Shidou frowned, returning with drinks.
Kurumi was gone. He reached for his earpiece, then remembered it was pocketed. It could reconnect him to , likely tracking Kurumi. He stared at it, hesitated, then stuffed it back.
Our date, she'd said. He'd honor that, no outside help. Calling her name, he ran to search.
"Shidou! Answer, please!" Kotori's voice screamed from the earpiece, unnoticed.
He stopped abruptly near the park's exit, staring into the woods. Something stirred—not normal. Instinct screamed danger, urging retreat. Yet, drawn to it, he stepped forward.
"!?" He froze.
Three men lay collapsed. Rushing toward them, he halted at a writhing "shadow." Familiar—no, unforgettable.
"You came…" Kurumi's beloved voice, now a desperate hope for a mistake.
He looked up, despair freezing him.
"Shidou-san," Kurumi said, smiling.
Blood-red and black, her Astral Dress gleamed. Asymmetrical black hair, crimson and gold eyes. Ignoring the fallen men, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Kurumi," he gasped.
"First time seeing me like this. A bit embarrassing," she said casually.
"You…!" he stammered.
As if chatting, she shattered his hopes. "Yes, I 'devoured' them. So?"
"What…?" he choked.
He couldn't comprehend. Was she serious? His ears, his mind—broken? She spoke so naturally.
"Strong Spirits devour weak humans. Simple. Nothing odd," she said.
"What's that supposed to mean!?" he shouted.
A nightmare. He was here to protect her. Yet she, the Spirit he wanted to save, was a calamity harming people. Kurumi herself admitted it.
The world-killing calamity he'd heard of stood before him. But it wasn't fear gripping him—it was sadness.
"Kurumi, I—" he began, then stumbled, caught by countless white hands from the "shadow," binding his legs.
"Ki, kihihi! But you, Shidou-san, are special," she giggled, approaching.
Her delicate hand caressed his cheek, gentle as if handling something fragile. He could only swallow.
"Remember my 'search'?" she asked.
He did. How could he forget? But what—
"Let me tell you. My 'search'… is you, Shidou-san," she said.
"What…?" he whispered.
"I'm in such trouble. So, Shidou-san… keep your 'promise,' yes?"
What was she saying? Why seek him? Then it hit—his unique power. Eyes wide, he amused her, her giggle chilling.
"You realized? Yes, I want your exquisite 'Spiritual Power,'" she confirmed.
"…!" he gasped.
"Didn't you find it odd?" she continued, her mad laughter ringing. "Don't listen!" his body screamed, but he couldn't move.
"My convenient appearances. Meeting Yoshino by chance. Appearing after you sealed Tohka and Yoshino. Too perfect for coincidence, no?"
"Stop…!" he begged.
"It was no coincidence. Everything was—"
"Please, stop!" he pleaded.
"To 'devour' you—a 'lie,'" she finished.
His hopes were crushed. So close, yet she felt distant. Her cold, venomous smile was mesmerizing.
"Enough villainy," a familiar voice cut in.
In a blink, the scene shifted. Kurumi leapt back gracefully, replaced by Mana Takamiya in elaborate gear.
"Barely made it. You okay, Brother?" Mana asked.
"Mana…" Shidou breathed.
Her Wiring Suit was for exterminating Spirits. His mind snapped awake. No, not that…
"Surprising, right? It's complicated—" Mana began.
"Wait, Mana! I know! AST, Spirits, everything!" he interrupted.
Mana frowned, still wary of Kurumi. Knowing Kurumi acted to "devour" him, Shidou couldn't let her be hurt—or let Mana hurt her.
"Let me talk to her! She's—" he pleaded.
"Impossible, Brother," Mana cut off, her tired, worn expression chilling as she aimed her blade at Kurumi. "Whatever she told you, talking's useless. She attacks without hesitation—a scum, the 'Worst Spirit.' Kill or be killed."
"The 'Worst Spirit'…!" Shidou's heart froze.
The term crystallized his lingering fears. The nightmare reality bound him. Kurumi, the "Worst Spirit," unhesitant to harm. It tore his heart apart.
"Harsh words. I'm with Shidou-san. You've no right to interfere," Kurumi said.
"I've every right. Toying with my brother, huh?" Mana snapped.
"Toying? Not entirely wrong," Kurumi admitted.
Her casual words pierced Shidou. His tattered heart couldn't reject them.
"I don't… care for you at all, Shidou-san," she said.
The words shattered him. Knees buckling, vision blurring, despair dyed his heart—the heart meant to break Spirits' despair. The pain tore him apart. Her words sealed his will, unbearable.
"Shut up, Spirit," Mana growled.
Shidou's body lifted, startled. Mana's Territory was moving him to safety, her face furious.
"Attacking people, seducing my brother—go to hell, monster," Mana spat.
"Mana! Kurumi!" Shidou screamed, flung by her Territory.
He reached out, touching nothing. Mana charged Kurumi, who ignored her, looking at Shidou. His consciousness faded to black.
"Did I… do well?" Kurumi murmured to no one, perhaps herself.
No clone answered. If she saw, she'd mock Kurumi's poor act. Leaning against a tree, sunlight filtering through, Kurumi felt drained.
That "puppy" was likely chasing her clone. Safe to rest, she recalled Mana's words: "Go to hell."
She was ready. For her "vow," she'd fall to hell, trampling Shidou's feelings, his promise. She'd plummet to a place worse than hell. So what? She'd known from the start.
Shidou would hate her now. A calamity harming people—how could he not? No matter his kindness, he wouldn't save her. Next time, he'd glare or curse her. Good. That'd keep her resolute. Imagining it—
"Nya," a kitten interrupted, limping to her feet.
"You…" she said, recognizing it. The men she "devoured" had targeted it with toy guns.
"Don't. You're hurt," she chided.
"Nya…" it mewed.
Stress relief, likely their motive. She'd felt no hesitation, even taking more than usual. She lifted the kitten, joking it was sharper than that "puppy."
"Lick!" The kitten licked her face, making her giggle.
Then she noticed her wet cheeks. One from the kitten, but the other… no rain in clear skies. Trembling, she understood.
"I'm… crying," she whispered, detached.
Tears were foreign. She'd discarded them long ago, unneeded by a demon. Yet they flowed. She didn't wipe them, mocking her unworthiness.
The tears soaked into the ground, her hands, her red and black. No one was there to catch them—she'd just cut off the boy she wished would.
"What a foolish girl," she scoffed.
A pitiful stage, no sympathy. Yet she'd sworn to redo everything, no matter the cost. Even if it meant devouring Shidou, hated by all.
Kurumi pressed on, despite the pain tearing her heart. It was her purpose, her value. Was it enough—truly?
Her tears flowed. The boy to wipe them wouldn't come—not yet.